Quixotic Colony & Rattery

Updated on 03/01/08

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Welcome to the homepage of

The
Quixotic Colony
&
Rattery

Located in Santa Barbara, California.

My name is Channing Quinn Carter.

I am the human of the rat colony.

I really want to stress that I do not breed my rats unless I have the ability to comfortably keep the entire litter because I breed my rats for only a few good reasons. At times in my life, I'll get a hold of a rat who becomes my best friend and shows qualities which are ideal in a pet rat, both physically and personality-wise, and I want to have rats like that forever. It means a lot to me to be able to have rats who have descended from previous rats whom I loved very much and which proved to have very good quality of life due to strong immune systems and a lacking in defective genes which might cause, for example, cancer or chronic respiratory illness, etc. That is the sort of rat that a qualified person ought to breed, if any. I like to be able to continue legacies of rats who have proven to genetically pass on their wonderful psychological demeanor as well as their strong physical genes. That is the main reason that I began breeding rats. Aside from that, most rats - just like any other animal - really enjoy the process of raising their precious little ones and it makes me so happy to see how much love and peace is exchanged in that process. There is no question that, in life, babies and children are filled with joy and beauty. They spread it within a family. However, I won't breed a female if I sense that she doesn't want to mate or have babies. Just like some people, some rats just don't want it. I've got one like that right now and it's a shame because she's very sweet and quite beautiful. Alas, I just wouldn't breed her. She doesn't want it. In the end, there is one more reason why I choose to breed that keeps me breeding now and then. There is quite a demand for fancy rats in my area and, as far as I know, I am one of the only ratteries located in central California. I get a LOT of emails requesting babies nowadays. If people are equipt, open and willing, I'll refer them to rescues. If not, I can help them find baby rats which are healthy and happy. All of my rats are pedigreed and, in my opinion, show quality. I do not show my rats, however, so I can't guarantee that they'll win any ribbons. Hehe. 

All of the above considered, I don't like to breed my rats too often because of the number of rats that are in constant need of rescue. If I don't have the resources to keep all of the babies from any of my litters, then I'll wait until I do because I can never promise that homes for them are certain. I've got to have the means to keep them all just in case because I'll never abandon a rat to a rescue, shelter or otherwise. Sometimes, people make reservations and may suddenly cease contact or something happens and they change their minds, etc. Please do not do that to the little babies if you can help it. Think long and hard before you make a reservation or adopt a sweet little rat. Do your research. Please ask all questions. I am more than happy to share knowledge! They're not difficult pets, some argue that they're much easier to maintain than dogs or cats, but they are pets none the less and they require some knowledge and good care on your part. Please note that if one adopts a ratty from me and for whatever reason suddenly doesn't want it or can't keep it anymore, I want it back. There are never any hard feelings, I just want the little ones to be properly loved and cared for. Again, the last thing I want to do is add to the tragedy of rats put in often over-loaded shelters and rescues or risk any harm to the babies I help to create. Of course, I only breed pedigreed rats of quality blood-lines regarding both physical health and mental/emotional health. When there is particular physical beauty involved, it's always a plus. My main interest beyond good health, however, is an awesome personality. There's nothing better than finding a deep, genuine, personal bond with your pet rat.

As mentioned above, I often breed to continue a specifically favorable blood-line of particular ratties that I have grown especially attached to.

I have one, possibly two upcoming litters! - Hopefully, our recent co-breeding was successful. I recently studded my choice male, Sherwin, to a local couples' sweet young female named Mozzie. I think they may also have given him a chance with their other pretty little female, Bonnie. We are hoping to see one or two litters come from this mating. Sherwin carries quite a number of different genes for markings, such as blaze, self, berkshire, etc. and colors, such as fawn, black, agouti, cinnamon agouti, blue, russian blue, etc. as well as the dumbo gene and the rex gene(curly fur). Both Mozzie and Bonnie are standard eared rats as well as straight furred so the babies will most likely be half rex, half standard fur and half standard eared, half standard eared but carrying the dumbo gene. Unless either of the mothers carry the dumbo gene in which case there will likely be dumbos in the litter. For more information and/or for those wishing to make reservations on upcoming litters please contact me at rattymama@gmail.com.

Our four males are brothers Burt and Odin and Odin's two sons, Jules and Sherwin.

Our two females are Lucia and her daughter, Ellora.

Check out "Our Colony" for pictures and info.

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